New TechArts Initiative Spotlights Events, Innovation

Posted Feb 06, 2012 | Atlanta, GA

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Teri Nagel, 404-385-2156

From a 3-D drawing experience that incorporates artificial intelligence to a competition that features cutting-edge musical instruments, and the premier of a new technology-inspired work for piano, there will be something for every arts lover on campus the week of Feb. 13.

TechArts, a campuswide initiative inspired by Georgia Techs strategic plan, highlights three events during the week. The initiative is co-chaired by Aaron Bobick, professor and chair of Interactive Computing, and Gil Wienberg, associate professor of Music and director of the Music Technology Center.

“With TechArts, our goal is to both push the boundaries of research and innovation in art and technology and to enhance and nurture the creativity of the entire community here at Tech,” Bobick said.

Read on to learn the details of each event:

Drawn Together, Feb. 13, 7 p.m., Stubbins Studio Gallery. This exhibit is the culmination of a collaboration among digital artists The Open Ended Group and students and faculty from the Center for Music Technology and the College of Architecture. Drawn Together will allow participants to interact with artificial intelligence agents to create unforeseen and original drawings and musical responses. The Open Ended Group’s works for stage, screen, gallery, print and public space have been exhibited around the world. This exhibit is free to the public.

2012 Guthman Musical Instrument Competition, Feb. 16 to 17, Klaus Advanced Computing Building Atrium. This annual competition will showcase the world’s best new ideas in musicality, design and engineering. “The Guthman competition isn’t only about technology — it is an extraordinary demonstration of engineering and computing,” said College of Architecture Dean Alan Balfour, executive sponsor of the TechArts initiative. Both the reliminary and final performances are free and open to the public. RSVP here.

Pianist Jade Simmons in Concert, Feb. 18, 8 p.m., Ferst Center. This concert will be the culmination of Simmons’ year-long “ARTech” residency, produced by Ferst Center director George Thompson. She will perform a solo with Collide, which includes saxophonist and electronic musician Jonathan Sanford and percussionist Craig Hauschildt. The program includes Simmons' version of the composition “Bafana,” for four human musicians and Tech’s improvising robotic musician, Shimon, as well as new work created during the residency that features sound collected by Tech students through the Urban Remix mobile app. Tickets for faculty and staff are $14, while student tickets may be purchased for $10. Regularly priced tickets are $28.

The goal for next year is to offer a full-fledged TechArts-sponsored festival that will feature everything from community-based art to professionally commissioned installations that “push the limit of arts and technology,” Weinberg said.

“Art and technology are more entwined than ever before,” said Rafael L. Bras, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “If Georgia Tech intends to define the technological research university of the 21st century, we have to find ways to incorporate the arts into everything we do, from research to our curricula. These events are the first major step that TechArts is taking to accomplish this.”